Twelfth Anniversary of our church

04-24-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Hans Ruygt

It was twelve years ago on the Feast of Divine Mercy that we gathered with Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and a large number of priests for the Solemn Mass for the Dedication of the Church and Altar. The date was April 11, 2010.

Even though we had our first Mass inside our church on Christmas Eve in 2008, we had been using our temporary wooden altar from the time when we were having Masses in the parish hall. Finally, in 2010, we had the permanent altar that you now see in the church as well as the stone baptismal font and the tabernacle.

Most of the rest of the church was still barren and unfinished. We had a concrete floor, clear glass windows and there was nothing behind the altar except for a big bare green wall.

We have so much for which to be thankful. God in his Mercy has blessed our parish enormously!

Summary of the Dedication

Outside on the walkway, we presented the church to Bishop Olmsted, then ceremoniously opened the front doors and sang, “Come, Worship the Lord.” The bishop blessed water and sprinkled it throughout the church as we sang, “I Saw Water Flowing.” Before the Liturgy of the Word began, we presented the Lectionary to the bishop. Then it was taken to the new ambo for the readings of the Mass.

The Prayer of Dedication began with the Litany of the Saints. We asked for God’s mercy and asked all the saints to intercede for us. We deposited Relics inside the altar stone as a witness to their sacrifices for Christ. We were privileged to deposit relics of St. Clare of Assisi and St. Jude, the apostle. Bishop said the Prayer of Dedication, then spread the Sacred Chrism oil over the entire top of the altar. Priests anointed the walls of the church. Bishop incensed the new altar and the church. We dressed the altar with a new cloth, lighted candles on the altar and at all 12 consecration stones around the church, recalling the light of Christ as well as the twelve Apostles who are the foundation of the Catholic Church. Only then did we turn on the overhead lights a the Liturgy of the Eucharist began. We continued with Mass.

Christ is our Light, the Way, the Truth and the Life. He died for our salvation and rose from the dead. His resurrection gives us joy and hope!

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